Electric circulating space heater



June 22, 1948. w GUSTAFSQN. r L 2,443,983

ELECTRIC C IRCULATING SPACE HEATER Filed Nov. 19, 1945 7 52 Pig/1 57 EU A E gm 0M A an \A/arren J. Schneider Patented June 22, 1948 UNITED STATES FATENT @EFICE ELECTRIC CIRCULATING SPACE HEATER Minn.

Application November 19, 1945, Serial No. 629,440

(El. 2l9-39) '2' Claims. 1

Our invention relates to heaters and particularly to electrically operated space heaters.

An object of the invention resides in providing a heater which will be extremely compact in construction and which will produce a relatively large amount of heated air.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a heater in which .the heat generated is rapidly transmitted to the air passing through the same, so that the exposed portions of the heater are held at a suitable low degree.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the heater with a heat transfer unit having heat conducting members to which heat is radiated by a heating element and in constructing said unit with channels through which air may pass for the purpose of absorbing heat from the heat conducting members.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the unit with other channels extending in a cross direction with reference to the first named channels and in arranging the heating element so as to radiate the heat to the heat conducting members of the unit along said second named channels.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the heat transfer unit substantially cylindrical, and with a chamber disposed axially thereof.

Another object of the invention resides in constnucting the heat transfer unit with radial channels extending outwardly from said chamber and in providing a heating element in said chamber adapted to radiate heat in said channels and to said member comprising the unit.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the heat transfer unit with one or more longitudinal channels forming air passageways through which the air to be heated may pass.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the heat unit from a foraminous sheet wound in the form of a spiral with spaced convolutions forming one or more air passageways through which the air to be heated may pass.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the sheet corrugated in form to provide a multiplicity of longitudinal passageways adjacent the various corrugations of the sheet.

A feature of the invention resides in providing one or more spaced ribbons between the convolutions to hold the same in position.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the sheet from wire cloth.

# Another object of the invention resides in providing air impelling means located at one end of the heat transfer unit for impelling the flow of air through the longitudinal passageways thereof.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal elevational sectional view illustrating an embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Our invention comprises a case Ii] constructed with two sections II and I2. The section II is substantially conical in form, while the section I2 is somewhat cylindrical in form. The section I I is open at the rear and is closed by means of a cap I3. The section I2 is open at the front and is similarly closed by means of a cap I l.

The case It is supported on a base I5 which has a lug I6 projecting upwardly therefrom. Iwo flanged ears IT and I8 are welded to the section II of case I0 and straddle the lug I6. A bolt I9 passes through the said ears and lug and serves to hold the case attached to the base I5. By means :of this construction, the case III may be tilted to various angles and held in adjusted posi tion by tightening the bolt I9.

The cap I3 is attached to the section I I of case it) in the following manner; At the marginal portion of the said cap is formed an offset 2| which provides a groove 22. The extreme edge 23 of the section I I is adapted to be received in said groove when the cap I3 is forced into the position shown in Fig. 1. The cap I3 is formed with a number of openings 26 in the same by means of which air may enter into the interior of the case II]. In like manner, the cap I4 is attached to the forward end of the section I2 of case II]. This cap likewise has a number of openings 25 in the same and through which the heated air passes on leaving the heater.

The two sections M and I2 of the case Ii] are secured together by means of a number of screws 2% which pass through the marginal portions of the same. For this purpose, the marginal portion 2? of the section II of case It! is offset to receive the marginal portion 28 of the section I2 of case Ill.

A handle 29 is secured to the uppermost portion of the section H of case It. This handle has a forward end 3| secured under one of the screws 26 and a rearward end 32 held under another screw 33 which is screwed into the said section. By means of this handle, the entire heater may be carried about.

Within the interior of the heater is mounted a partition 34 which is formed with a flange 35 encircling the same. The said flange is situated between the marginal portions 21 and 28 of the sections H and E2 of case l and is held in position by means of the screws 26. This partition divides the interior of the case W into two compartments 46 and 41. The said partition is constructed with openings 36 in the same which form a number of radially extending arms 31 and a ring-like portion 38 at the outer periphery of the partition. At the center of the said partition is formed an off-set hub 39 which extends in a direction toward the cap l4. On this partition is mounted an ordinary electric socket 4 l' which has screwed into it an electric heating element 42 consisting of a core 43 of ceramic material and a coil 45 of resistance wire wound thereon. The said socket and heating element extend into the compartment 46 of the case ll].

Encircling the heating element 42 and dis posed within the compartment 48 of case It is a heat transfer unit which constitutes the major feature of the instant invention. This heat transfer unit consists of a sheet 52 of wire cloth or screen which is corrugated in the direction of the width of the sheet to form corrugations 53 extending throughout the extent thereof. This sheet is spirally wound upon itself to form a number of convolutions 54. The convolutions 54 are held in spaced relation v with respect to one another by means of ribbons 55 and 55 of metal, which are wound along with the sheet. The entire unit may be bound together by means of wire twisted about the same or the ends of the last convolution may be secured to the former convolution in any suitable manner.

The heat transfer unit 5| is of such dimensions that its forward end fits snugly within the interior of the section l2 of case I0 and butts up against the inner edge of cap I4. The rearward end of said heat transfer unit butts up against the partition 34 and the hub 39 of said partition is of such dimensions as to be snugly received within the cylindrical chamber 51 of the said unit. In this manner, the unit is held supported within the case I01 when the two sections of the case are secured together;

The heat transfer unit 5| as constructed is formed with a central chamber 51 in which the heating element 42 and the socket 4| are disposed. By the use of wire cloth, a number of channels are provided through the mesh of the wire which extend substantially radially outwardly from the chamber 51. The heat rays emanating from the unit 42 thus are able to heat the various wires from which the wire cloth is constructed and which form heat transfer members of the unit. In addition, the corrugations 53 in the sheet of wire cloth form other channels 58 which extend longitudinally of the heat transfer unit and which are adapted to conduct the air to be heated through said unit, whereby the air so passing may absorb the heat from the heat exchange membersof the unit.

For the purpose of impelling the flow of air through the channels 58, a fan 59 is provided which is disposed in compartment 41. This fan is carried by the shaft ill of an electric motor 62. Motor 82 is mounted on a spider 63 which is attached to the section II of case l0 and which is also disposed in compartment 41.

When the device is energized, the heat waves produced by the heating element 42 are transmitted radially and are absorbed by the heat transfer members of the heating unit 5|. Ihe fan 59 draws air through the openings 24 in cap l3 and forces the air through the openings in partition 36 and through the passageway 58 formed by the corrugations 53. The air passing through the heat exchange unit 5| absorbs heat from the heat transfer members thereof and is discharged from the device through the openings 25 in the cap M.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. An ordinary heating element may be used for the purpose of space heating and functions in a manner to heat a large volume of air. Due to the use of the heat transfer unit, the heat radiating from the heating element is absorbed by the unit and then released to the air passing through the same. In this manner, the case of the unit is kept relatively cool so that danger of burning or injury to the user is entirely prevented. The device is extremely small and compact and a heater having a relatively large capacity results. The device may be adjusted to throw the heat in any particular direction without affecting the operation thereof.

Changes in the specific form of our invention, as herein described, may be made within. the scope. of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A- heater comprising a heat transfer unit substantially cylindrical in form andhaving a substantially centrally disposedchamber within the same, said unit being constructed from heat.

trans-fer members arranged to provide a number of channels extending radially from said chamher and another channel intersecting said first named channels and extending in. a substantially longitudinal direction, said last named channel forming an air passageway for conducting air past said heat transfer members, and a heating element within said chamber and adapted to radiate heatto said. heat transfer members along. thefirst named channels.

2. A heater comprising a heat transfer unit substantially cylindrical in form and having a sub-- stantially centrally disposed chamber within the same, said unit being constructed of a foraminous sheet wound spirally to form a longitudinally extending channel therethrough and radial-1y extending channels communicating therewith, said longitudinally extending channel forming an air passageway for conducting air past the foraminous sheet and a heating element in said chamber adapted to radiate heat along said radial channels and to various portions of said foralminous sheet.

3. A heater comprising a heat transfer unit substantially cylindrical in form and having a substantially centrally disposed chamber within the same, said unit being constructed of a sheet of wire cloth wound spirally-to form a longitudinally extending channel therethrough and radially extending channels communicating therewith, said longitudinally extending channel forming an air passageway for conducting air past the sheet and a heating element insaid chamber adapted to radiate heat along said radial channels and to various portions of said sheet.

4. A heater comprising a heattransfer unit substantially cylindrical in form and having. a

substantially centrally disposed chaimber within the same, said unit being constructed of a corrugated foraminous sheet wound helically to form a plurality of communicating longitudinally disposed channels extending along the corrugations of the sheet and radially extending channels communicating therewith, said longitudinally disposed channels forming air passageways for corn ducting air past the foraminous sheet and a heating element in said chamber adapted to radiate heat along said radial channels and to various portions of said foramtnous sheet.

5. A heater comprising a heat transfer unit substantially cylindrical in form and having a substantially centrally disposed chamber within the same, said unit being constructed of a sheet of corrugated wire cloth wound spirally with the corrugations extending longitudinally to form a plurality of communicating longitudinally disposed channels extending along the corrugations of the sheet and radially extending channels communicating therewith, said longitudinally disposed channels forming air passageways for con ducting air past the sheet and a heating element in said chamber adapted to radiate heat along said radial channels and to various portions of the sheet.

6. A heater comprising a heat transfer unit having a centrally disposed chamber within the same, a radiant heating element within said chamber adapted to radiate heat in two opposite directions, said unit comprising a plurality of heat transfer members disposed on each side of said element each spaced from each other in the direction of radiation of said elements, said members providing channels extending in the direction of radiation of said element whereby radiant heat from said element may directly impinge upon portions of each of said members on. both sides of said element, the spacing of said members providing other channels extending transversely of said first named channels and intersecting the same, said second named channels serving to conduct air past said members.

'7. A heater comprising a heat transfer unit substantially cylindrical in form and having a substantially centrally disposed chamber within the same, said unit being constructed of fora'minous sheet material having imier and outer parts arranged substantially circumferentially about said chamber to provide. a longitudinal channel therebetween encircling said chamber, the openings in said sheet forming radial channels communicating with said longitudinal channel, said longitudinal channel forming an air passageway for conducting air past said parts, and a heating element in said chamber adapted to radiate heat along said radial channels to various portions of said parts.

WAYNE A. GUS'IAFSON. WARREN J. SCHNEIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,701,096 Bowling et a1 Feb. 5, 1929 1,705,812 Fisher Mar. 19, 1929 1,754,232 Fisher Apr 15, 1930 1,923,083 Fisher Aug. 22, 1933 2,119,161 Hay May 31, 1938 

